Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2, Part 34

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172

USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2 > Part 34

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RANKIN FAMILY. This family, while not one of the oldest in Hartford county, is among the most distinguished, many of its members having been noted for ability in various lines of effort, es- pecially in connection with religious and reformatory movements. The family originated in Scotland, and is first mentioned in an account of the troubled times in the latter part of the seventeenth century, when two brothers of the name were assassinated. In 1689 others of the family fled to County Donegal, Ireland. William Rankin, of County Donegal, had three sons, Adam, John and Hugh, who came to America in 1720, landing at Philadelphia, Penn., and all settled upon farms in Chester county, Penn- sylvania.

John Rankin was married in Ireland to Jane McElvee, and two sons, Thomas and Richard, were born there. Richard, who removed to Augusta county, Va., at the close of the Revolutionary war, had five sons : John, Richard, Joseph, Anthony and James.

Thomas Rankin, son of John, was a farmer in Pennsylvania, and at the close of the Revolutionary war sold his property for Continental money, which proved worthless. In 1784 he went to Greene county, Tenn., where he and his descendants made the name notable for good citizenship. The office of ruling elder in the New Bethel Church, Greene county, Tenn., was held by him and others of the family for ninety-five consecutive years. Thomas Rankin lived to the age of eighty-eight years, and

Sherman Sanford

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had twelve children. Of his six daughters no rec- ord has been preserved, but the sons were: John (1754-1825) ; Richard ( 1756-1827) ; William (1758- 1833) ; Samuel (1760-1828) ; Thomas (1762-1821) ; and James, born 1770. The first four sons fought under Washington for American independence, and five were elders in the Presbyterian Church.

Richard Rankin, son of Thomas, married Jane Steel, and to them were born eleven sons and one daughter. Four of the sons-Samuel S., Thomas, David and William-served in the war of 1812 with Jackson. Four-John, William, Alexander and Robert-were Presbyterian ministers, and many of their descendants are now in the ministry.

Rev. John Rankin, son of Richard and Jane Rankin, was born in February, 1793, on a forest farm in eastern Tennessee, and grew up with few advantages except those which would tend to the development of a strong physique. Occasionally he was permitted to spend a few months at the dis- trict school, two miles from his home, but the greater part of his education was secured by his own exertions, the result being that he had wise confidence in the conclusions of his own investiga- tions. This enabled him to maintain in after years his position on slavery, though almost alone in the defense of truths which he accepted and advocated. As early as his seventh year the Holy Spirit in- fluenced his mind to prayer, and gave him a deep desire to be a possessor of the religion of the Savior, but not having the nurture and care so easily obtained in our times he passed years in doubt and in conflict with such doctrines as those of pre- destination and God's Sovereignty. When he at last gave his heart to Christ, he determined to obtain an education and preach the Gospel. Ac- cordingly he entered Washington College, eastern Tennessee, where he was graduated in 1814, and in the meantime he had married Miss Jane Lowry, a granddaughter of Rev. Samuel Doake, D. D., the president and founder of the college. She among other accomplishments knew how to use her needle and shears, so that she made her husband's wedding coat, and he made his own shoes. In 1816 he was licensed by the Presbytery of Abingdon, and in the fall of 1817, with his wife, and child, later Rev. Adam L. Rankin, started for Ohio, a few articles of furniture being carried in their two-wheeled carriage, drawn by one horse. He had not yet discovered the fact that the Bible condemned slav- ery, but with his sympathetic nature he could not live where it existed, so lie determined to seek a free State. He was persuaded, however, while pass- ing through Kentucky, to preach in Concord, where he had stopped for the Sabbath, and at the urgent request of the church members he remained with them for four years, finally arriving at his destina- tion, Ripley, Ohio, in May, 1822. For forty-four years he was pastor of the Presbyterian Church there, but while laboring to build up the cause of Christ as a pastor, a new work seemed to be thrust upon him, viz. : the discussion of the question of

slavery from a Bible standpoint. His brother, Thomas, had written him a letter informing him that he had purchased a slave. The letter was dated Dec. 2, 1823, and he at once began a series of letters on the question in the Castigator, published at Ripley ; these letters were afterward published in book form, and a copy fell into the hands of Lloyd Garrison, who wrote to the author, acknowl- edging his indebtedness for the argument, and closing with the words: "With profound and lov- ing veneration of his anti-slavery disciple and hum- ble co-worker in the cause of emancipation." So that Mr. Rankin is entitled to some regard as a teacher of the great Abolitionist.

Mr. Rankin's book was adopted by the Ameri- can Anti-Slavery Society, and he was appointed for one year a lecturer for the society, his congrega- tion consenting to release him for that period of time. In furtherance of this same work he and Dr. Boynton were the chief instruments in form- ing the American Reform Tract and Book Society, Mr. Rankin being chosen president and Dr. Boynton corresponding secretary, and for many years he was one of the mainstays of the society. It published many tracts and articles from his pen, all urging obedience to the Golden Rule: "Whatsoever ve would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," and that other truth: "God will punish na- tional sins by national judgments." After resign- ing his position in Riplev, Ohio, Mr. Rankin preached for some years in Ohio and Kansas, where his beloved wife died, after many years of intelli- gent and untiring work as a helpmeet. He was pastor of the church at Richmond, Ohio, and or- ganized the church at Lyndon, Kans., while he filled other pulpits as opportunity offered until age and its infirmities came on. His last days were spent at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Lida Gray, at Ironton, Ohio, his death occurring March 19, 1886. He was a remarkable man, abounding in labors for the cause of Christ and humanity, and as a preacher and expositor of Scripture he had few equals. His Scotch-Irish parentage was fa- vorable to an evenly-balanced temperament, and his mental faculties had been developed, strengthened and sanctified by a sensible early education in piety, making his character one of singular strength, force and beauty. For years his home on the hilltop above Ripley was known to the panting fugitives as the entrance to the "Underground Railroad." which would take them safely to Canada, and it is said that many of the incidents in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" were furnished by those whom he had aided to escape. He was a born reformer, and naturally opposed everything which he conceived to be contrary to the welfare of the human family, especially slavery and intemperance. In almost every town in the southern part of the State the voice of John Rankin was heard in strong and fearless utterances against the curse of slavery. For a quarter of a century he lived to see the slaves free men, and his name will ever live in his-

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tory and in the affection of the race for which he did so much. On Thursday, May 5, 1892, a mon- ument was unveiled and dedicated in Ripley, Ohio, to his memory, as the Pioneer Abolitionist, it be- ing in the form of a bronze bust modeled by Mrs. Ellen Copp, his granddaughter. On the pedestal is inscribed :

John Rankin 1793-1886 Jane Lowry his wife 1795-1878 Freedom's Hernes.

The ceremonies were attended by many of their children and descendants.

The thirteen children of John Rankin are as follows: Adam L., a minister, served as captain in the 113th Reg. Il1. V. I., during the Civil war; Isabelle Jane; David; Richard Calvin, first lieu- tenant of Company H, 12th O. V. I., went at the first call as first sergeant of the 4th Independent Company, of an Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, serving from August, 1862, to July, 1865, and his death occurred May 17, 1899, at Ripley, Ohio; Samuel Gardner Wilson is mentioned below more fully ; Julia Doake; John Thompson went out with 116th Illinois, and was afterwards made quarter- master of a U. S. colored regiment ; Andrew Camp- bell, a physician, was assistant surgeon of the 88th Ill. V. I., and was retained several months after the war in charge of Hospital No. 5, at Camp Nelson, Kentucky ; Mary Eliza; William Alexander was commissioned as captain and assistant quarter- master, and served on the staff of Col. LeGrange, Gen. McCook, commanding, First Div. C. C. M. D. M., and later of Gen. Wilson, commanding, C. C. M. D. M .; Lucinda; Arthur Tappan, now in Utah, was a Presbyterian minister, stationed for twenty-five years at Greensburg, Ind .; Thomas Lovejoy. Rev. John Rankin gave more sons for the defense of the Union than any other minister, and it is claimed that to Jane Lowry Rankin be- longed the proud distinction of being the mother of more soldiers in the Civil war than any other woman, and all of them were officers.

Samuel Gardner Wilson Rankin was born in Ripley, Ohio, Dec. 28, 1822. It was not unnatural that the question of liberating the slaves commanded much of the boy's attention, as the method of free- ing the slaves in a secret manner familiarly known as the "Underground Railroad" originated at his father's house. Mr. Rankin attended school and graduated at a college then located in Ripley, and afterward studied for the ministry at Lane Sem- inary, in Cincinnati. While at the seminary he came under the instruction of Dr. Lyman Beecher, and first met Harriet Beecher Stowe. In the latter part of the forties he took his first pastorate, at Sardinia, Ohio, and about 1850 he came to Con- necticut, having received a call to the Center Con- gregational Church in Portland, where he remained

nine years. On leaving Portland he became pastor of a church in Westchester, and in 1863 he removed

- to Glastonbury, purchasing the Andrew T. Hale place on Main street, where he died Nov. 20, 1897. During the latter years of his life he devoted con- siderable time to farming, but many pulpits in the vicinity were supplied by him during his residence in Glastonbury, and he filled a place in the com- munity that, because of his diverse gifts, no one else can fill. He could deliver an excellent sermon, give an address appropriate for a national holiday, a political meeting or a donation party with singular effectiveness, or give an interesting account upon the lecture platform of his family experiences and efforts for the slaves. When it came to business affairs his good judgment and thorough and prac- tical knowledge of men and affairs always favored him, and being endowed with a keen intellect and strong will he easily mastered many questions that would have annoyed a less versatile man. He was. extremely fond of horses and few knew the pe- culiarities of the animals better than he, or more thoroughly enjoyed driving them. He voted for William Henry Harrison in 1840, and it was an easy step for him to pass from the Whig party to the Republican and vote for John C. Fremont in 1856. A man of wide and lasting sympathies, he made many friends, and he was a loyal supporter of the Congregational Church during his residence in Glastonbury, uniting with it by letter in 1864. He also held several town offices, and he was also con- nected with the Christian Commission, doing effi- cient work.

On Aug. 27, 1845, Mr. Rankin married Dolly Goodrich, whom he met in Cincinnati. She was born in Portland, Conn., Aug. 30, 1823, and died Jan. 31, 1893. Among her ancestors was Rev. Timothy Stevens, the first minister in Glastonbury. Of the children of Samuel and Dolly Rankin, the eldest, Susan J., born May 25, 1846, married H. E. Loomis, a farmer in Glastonbury ; Samuel F., born Aug. 11, 1852, died May 12, 1854; Helen P., born Sept. 8, 1854, married D. W. Williams, of the firm of J. B. Williams & Sons, of Glastonbury, the originators and manufacturers of Yankee Shaving Soap; John D. (twin of Helen) is mentioned be- low; Lucy Virginia, born Jan. 14, 1857, married Milton S. Tracy, and resides in Glastonbury on the homestead (to her we are indebted for much of this information) ; Charles G. (mentioned below) was born Oct. 2, 1859, and is now a physician in Glaston- bury; Hepsibah, born Jan. 24, 1863, died in the same year.

JOHN DELOS RANKIN was born Sept. 8, 1854, in Portland, Conn., while his father was filling a pastorate there. He accompanied his parents to Glastonbury when he was nine years old, and his education was begun in the district school of that town. Later he attended Williston Academy, and on leaving school he turned his attention to busi- ness, his strong love for horses naturally leading

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him into a career as a dealer in these noble ani- mals. Going west he formed a partnership with J. Warren Kiefer, Jr., son of Gen. Kiefer, of Spring- field, Ohio, and located on Mr. Kiefer's ranch near Superior, Neb., engaging in buying and selling Texas horses. They would buy the animals in lots of 500 in Texas and drive to Nebraska, where they were sold, the trip from Nebraska to Texas and return requiring a whole summer. They were among the largest dealers in horses in the West, and at one time they made a shipment of ten car- loads of horses from Wind River Mountain, in Wyoming, by special train, and all were sold in two weeks. Later Mr. Rankin went to Oregon, con- tinuing in the same line of business, and he shipped horses to almost every State in the Union. His judgment as to the good or bad points of a horse was remarkably accurate, and his energy and en- terprise were leading factors in his success. He remained in the West about fifteen years, and then came to Glastonbury and purchased the farm for- merly known as the "John Moseley" place. He here engaged in dealing in Iowa horses, and he was also an extensive tobacco grower, and in 1899 planted about fifteen acres. Like his father, he is a strong Republican, but never held office. In re- ligion he inclined toward the Congregational Church, of which his widow is a member. He was married, in Tilden, Neb., to Miss Sadie Harvey, a native of that place, and they had five children : the first, Willard, died in infancy and is buried in Nebraska; Samuel H., John D., Jr., Anita and Charles are at home. Mr. Rankin died March 14, 1900.

CHARLES GOODRICH RANKIN, M. D., a well- known physician of Glastonbury, was born Oct. 2, 1859, in Portland, Conn. After receiving an elementary education in the common schools and the academy at Glastonbury he entered Williams College, where he was graduated in 1882, with the degree of A. B. He has also taken the Master's degrec. The same year he began the study of med- icine with his uncle, Dr. A. C. Rankin, and in March, 1886, he was graduated from the Chicago Medical College, connected with the Northwestern Uni- versity. For one year he served as assistant physi- cian at. the Armour Medical Mission in Chicago, and he then practiced at Reynolds, Neb., for two years, and at Southbury, Conn., for three, but since 1890 has been in active practice at Glastonbury. He has a large general practice, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow townsmen in an unusual degree. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as health officer of Glastonbury since October, 1893, was the town treasurer in 1896-97, and is now director and treasurer of the Glastonbury Public Library, which owes its exist- ence in a great measure to his personal efforts. He belongs to the American Medical Association, the Connecticut Medical Society, and the Hartford City and County Medical Societies. Dr. Rankin was married, Jan. 1, 1887, to Miss Lucretia Barret Pink-

ham, who was born June 14, 1861, in Loda, Ill., daughter of Frederick and Mary (Barret) Pink- ham. Her father was a sailor, and a descendant of good old New England stock, his ancestors hav- ing settled near Nantucket, Mass., in pioneer times. Dr. Rankin and his wife have one son, William Goodrich, born July 12, 1896.

EDWARD PATRICK CARROLL, one of East Hartford's best-known market gardeners, and one of the very few gardeners in the town exclu- sively devoted to that branch of farming, com- bines among his many estimable qualities rare business ability and that hearty geniality which makes him ever companionable. For twenty years, or since April, 1880, he has been a wholesaler of vegetables as the junior member of the firm of E. P. Carroll & Co., who have one of the most thor- oughly equipped and well-appointed gardens for supplying the Hartford trade with garden truck.

Mr. Carroll is a son of Edward J. and Mary (Ruth) Carroll, a sketch of whom appears else- where. Our subject in his youth attended the pub- lic schools of East Hartford and Hartford, com- pleting his education with a course at Hannum's Business College, Hartford. He began active life as a market gardener at the place where he is now located, the land having been used for that pur- pose for many years ; it was formerly the home of John B. Smith. Mr. Carroll has proven a very successful business man. He possesses a thorough knowledge of gardening in every detail, is progres- sive in his methods, and by reading and experiment is ever ready to make improvements and keep abreast with modern requirements.

On Nov. 15, 1893, Mr. Carroll married Miss Annie B. Mulligan, a native of Hartford, and daughter of James Mulligan, who for forty years was foreman in the shops of Lincoln & Co., iron founders and manufacturers; he was a brother of John Mulligan, who in his lifetime was president of the Connecticut River railroad. Mrs. Carroll is a graduate of the New Britain Normal School, class of '89, and prior to her marriage taught school three years. To Mr. and Mrs. Carroll have been born two children: Edward C. and Ellen C. Our subject and wife are members of St. Mary's Cath- olic Church at East Hartford. In politics he is a stanch Republican, is a member of the town Repub- lican committee, and for several years served as a justice of the peace. Fraternally he is a charter member of Nutmeg Lodge, No. 55. A. O. U. W., at East Hartford. He was one of the original commis- sioners of the East Hartford Fire District, and at the close of his first term was honored by a re- election for a term of three years. During his term of service this commission have introduced electric lighting, have purchased the water works from the East Hartford Water Co., and are now ( 1900) con- structing a system of sixteen miles sewerage. Mr. Carroll takes an active interest in all that pertains to the prosperity and growth of his town. In De- cember, 1893, Mr. Carroll completed the commodi-

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ous and tasteful modern home which he now oc- cupies, and which is equipped with every conven- ience that the town affords.

Thoroughly progressive and alert to every im- provement and advancement, well-informed in hor- ticultural, political and current affairs, having at- tained a commendable share of success and prosper- ity, Mr. Carroll is devoted to his work, developing the same grand characteristics that honored his father, and evincing to the many who know him a standard and highly-respected type of American citizenship.

DAVID E. MARSHALL. Among the rural communities of Hartford county a high quality of citizenship prevails, the members of the old pio- neer families being especially noted for their abil- ity and personal worth. The subject of this sketch, a leading agriculturist of the town of Windsor, is deserving of prominent mention in this volume as a man whose progressive and enterprising busi- ness methods, and regard for all the best interests of the community, make him a valuable and valued citizen.

Mr. Marshall comes of good Colonial stock, and by intermarriages he is related to the Phelps, Griswold, Wolcott, Wilton and other leading pio- neer families. His first direct ancestor of whom we have record was (I) Capt. Samuell Marshall, one of Windsor's first settlers. He had a lot in the palisade in 1637 before Huit's party came, so he probably came with Wareham's party, or in 1633. He was probably born in Dorchester, Eng- land, 1615. On May 6, 1652, he married Mary (daughter of Lt. David and Catherine) Wilton. When King Philip's war broke out he was actively engaged in military service; was appointed (Oct. 14, 1675) ensign in Maj. Treat's army, and was one of the five captains who led the Connecticut forces in the famous attack on the Narragansett fort, Dec. 19, 1675, where he fell at the head of his troops. Windsor lost in him an honored citizen and a brave soldier. Capt. Samuell Marshall had nine children, namely : Samuell, born May 27, 1653 ; Lydia, Feb. 18, 1655 ; Thomas, April 23, 1659, died young; David, July 24, 1661; Thomas, Feb. 18, 1663; Mary, May 8, 1667, died Aug. 25, 1683 : Eliakim, July 10, 1669; John, April 10, 1672; and Elizabeth, born Sept. 27, 1674.

(II) David Marshall, a son of Capt. Samuell, was born July 24, 1661, and married Abigail Phelps Dec. 9, 1686. They had the following children : Abigail, born Jan. 9, 1688; Hannah, born Dec. 8, 1689; David, born April 14, 1692.

(III) David Marshall (2), the next in the line of descent, was born April 14, 1692, and married Sarah Phelps Dec. 15, 1721. Their children were David, born June 1, 1723, died 1725; Sarah, born April 4, 1727; David, born Oct. 21, 1728; Han- nah, born Feb. 15, 1730-31.

( IV) Lieut. David Marshall (3), our subject's great-grandfather, was born Oct. 21, 1728, and died

March 13, 1776. He married Naomi Griswold, who died Sept. 30, 1824, aged eighty-nine. They had the following children: Naomi, born Sept. 30, 1758, died March 19, 1830; Sarah, born March 21, 1759, died Feb. 6, 1761; Elisha, born April 16, 1763, died aged twenty-seven; Elihu, born March 21, 1765; Olive died in August, 1846, aged eighty- four.

(V) Capt. Elihu Marshall, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 21, 1765, and became a farmer by occupation. He married Sabrina Gris- wold, daughter of Joab and Elizabeth (Collins) Griswold. They had the following children: Chauncey, born 1794, died May 8, 1838, at Little Falls, N. Y .; Elizabeth, born 1796, married Guy Griswold (she died at Poquonock Nov. 30, 1856) ; Elisha died Sept. 24, 1803, aged five years ; Elihu, our subject's father, comes next; Gaylord died Sept. 15, 1803, aged twelve months; Elisha Gay- lord, born March 24, 1805, was a physician and died at the old homestead Oct. 13, 1857 ; David died at Seneca Falls, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1834, aged twenty- five years.

(VI) ELIHU MARSHALL, our subject's father, was born July 12, 1800, on the estate now owned by our subject. Being reared a farmer boy, he had only a district-school education, but he made the best of his advantages, and taught successfully when a young man. His reading was extensive in later years, and he was recognized in local affairs. In politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, and he was always a regular voter. With the exception of a few years spent in the paper-mill business in New York State with a brother, he passed his life at the old homestead, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits.

On June 10, 1829, Mr. Marshall married Miss Mary Caroline Griswold,born March 3, 1806,daugh- ter of John and Mary Griswold. Mary Griswold was one of several daughters of Dr. Elihu Griswold, who married Mary, a daughter of Dr. Alexander Wolcott, the son of Gov. Roger and great-grand- son of Henry Wolcott, the Pilgrim. Mrs. Mar- shall was a descendant of Edward Griswold; she was a devout member of the Congregational Church, and while her husband was not connected with any denomination he contributed generously to religious works. He died March 7, 1876, Mrs. Marshall on April 18, 1871, and the remains of both were interred in the cemetery at Poquonock.

Our subject is one of a family of seven chil- dren, the others being: Frances Elizabeth, born March 21, 1830, died July 24, 1843. Mary Caro- line, born March 13, 1833, married Charles Spen- cer ; she died in Chicago Aug. 13, 1866. Ellen Griswold, born Oct. 24, 1834, died Dec. 18, 1841. Anzonetta Rebecca, born Nov. 27, 1836, is the widow of Sidney Morgan and resides in Syracuse, N. Y. Estelle Wilhemina, born July 1, 1840, mar- ried Jerome E. Fuller, of Poquonock, and died July 21, 1900. Ellen Elizabeth, born Aug. 8, 1846, is now Mrs. Addison Lamphear, of Poquonock.

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(VII) David E. Marshall, who represents the seventh generation of his family in this country, was born at his present residence Aug. 1I, 1843, and was educated in the schools of District No. 8 and in the academy at Windsor Center. He was trained to farm work as a boy, and has always re- sided at the homestead, an attractive estate compris- ing more than sixty acres of excellent land. Polit- ically he is in sympathy with the Republican party in National affairs, but he does his own thinking, and at times votes independently when local issues seem to require it.

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Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2, Part 34

Author: J.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1172

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172